Press Review

“Aravot” claims that the Dashnaktsutyun and Orinats Yerkir parties can not come to terms with the fact that they are only junior partners in a coalition cabinet where their partner, the Republican Party of Prime Minister Andranik Markarian, wields far more influence. The two parties reached a tentative agreement with the Republicans late Tuesday on the division of more senior government posts. But the paper says neither party is happy with the number of vice-ministerial jobs to be given to them by the Republicans. Dashnaktsutyun, in particular, has failed to achieve one of its key objectives: to be represented in most government agencies.

“Haykakan Zhamanak” also believes that Dashnaktsutyun’s first attempt to expand its influence in government has failed. The paper quotes Dashnaktsutyun leader Vahan Hovannisian as warning ministers not affiliated with his party against trying to sideline their Dashnak deputies.

In an interview with “Haykakan Zhamanak,” Hakob Hakobian, a pro-establishment parliamentarian and wealthy businessman, attacks the ruling coalition in unusually strong terms. He says it is “an artificially created body” whose activities “obstruct normal functioning of our society.” Those who are not affiliated with any of the three parties are being told that “they have no right to be government officials,” Hakobian claims, adding that the government has been filled with incompetent party nominees.

“Hayots Ashkhar” says that of all coalition partners parliament speaker Artur Baghdasarian and his Orinats Yerkir have developed the most negative public image. Both pro-government and pro-opposition media have a good reason to often attack that party. The paper says Orinats Yerkir leaders lack professionalism and their work style is questionable. Journalists just cannot fail to notice that. Orinats Yerkir, it says, should stop its “paranoid” claims about a secret conspiracy against Baghdasarian. “Orinats Yerkir must seriously look at all details of its posture and work style because if they continue like this and look for conspiracies everywhere that party will indeed be discredited in the eyes of the public.”

“Azg” carries a skeptical report about the founding congress of Ara Abrahamian’s World Armenian Organization. “I would very much like to be wrong, but think that if all presidents of the world come to the congress of Armenians and give us an oath of allegiance, we won’t have fewer troubles,” a correspondent reports from Moscow.